Saturday, April 23, 2011

MODOT considering closing Joplin office

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) is considering closing offices across the state, including the one in Joplin.

The Missouri Highway Commission is scheduled to discuss the plan May 4.

The Houston Herald reports that most of the planning for the department cuts has been "secretive."

Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission Community Manager Sally Oxenhandler said no firm decision has been made. "We are facing a severe funding shortage and looking at becoming a smaller agency due to the shortage. Beginning in 2017, we won't have enough funds to match the federal funds," she said.
Decisions are set for the May 4 meeting, but she would not elaborate.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Too bad..rather shortsighted Joplin has had a highway dept office for decades.....souhwestern part of the state left out again?---jack k

Anonymous said...

The Willow Springs District 9 office was established in the 1920's. Wonder if the Hwy Patrol headquarters will be next?

Anonymous said...

With today's technologies for design and communications, fewer offices and people are needed. The majority of the needed work is to maintain the infrastructure. Sorry, them's the breaks. I find it refreshing that some state agencies can be reduced in size. Now if the powers that be would reduce the size of the Department of Education?????"

Anonymous said...

Another thing, if you get out here in rural Missouri you won't find a Hwy Dept truck that will run over 35 mph tops.

Anonymous said...

Maybe they will come up with enough money to buy some 'patch' material for the potholes on every damn state highway in Missouri.

Anonymous said...

One way to save money in the Department of Education is to not replace Cliff Davis at OTC. He spends way too much time at The Metro Grill in Springfield. I gues he is a secrect admirer of Billy Long.